Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-11-17


but have plan for the advancement of
your welfare. You have been In my employ
now twelve years, and your care and attention
TO business, and the interest you have always
displayed In my affairs, have won my highest
esteem ard confidence"
II fear" replied the young man, ''you are,
from your natural goodness OF heart, rather
Inclined to overestimate my qua Titles"
"No, Fred rick" said Mr. Thorndyke, 'you
must not mistake the utteranee OF truth for
the hollow, high sounding words OF hattery.
The time has arrived for me to explain my
plans TO YOU i have made up my mind to
seek home In some quiet spot, away from
the din and confusion OF the busy world,
where l can pass the remainder Of my days
peacefully with my motherless child, who
needs the protection of the father OF whom
she has known so little. You are aware that
In moment OF anger and folly made an I'M
just will, cutting my daughter of with
mere pittance, and leaving the bulk Of my
fortune 10 you. In atonement for the in
justice, have decided to repair the bitter
wrong / did her, by making her the sole In
heritor Of my fortune, and devoting the bal
ance Of my life to care and comfort"
II am more than happy to hear you say
this, SIR" exclaimed Frederick at Is but
right aud just that Miss Ella should receive
all. i am only stranger, and have no right
to accept from you more than my services are
worth"
They have proved more valuable than you
Imagine them, perhaps" said the old gentle
man, smiling. "You will certainly acknowl-
edge that AIN the best judge of Their worth,
aud l feel that In justice to you, ! could do
no less than see YOU we'll established IN some
good business aud this have determined to
do When we return to Chicago, want you
to look about settle upon business, and
such capital as you may require to conduct 1t
is at your disposal"
"My dear Mr. Thorndyke," said the young
man, graspiDg his employers hand, you are
more than klnd. and cannot dud words in
which TO express my gratitude"
But there was something in the tone Of his
voice suggestive OF insinccrty, and the ex-
preston Of his features, as his eyes turned
from Mr. Thorndyke's facs and sought dis
tant part OF the room, was certainly not indi-
cative Of any great degree Of happiness The
old gentleman, however, failed to notice the
change In his companions manner, for he
continued:
You need waste no words In thanks, but
for the present let Us dismiss the subject.
While | think OF 1t, l must inform you that
our party and few OF the other guests have
arranged to take moonlight stroll this even
ing below the falls. You will OF course goi'
Thank you; yes" he replied, with pleas
ure." Then, rising, he asked: us there
anything you wish me to do for you now.''
Nothing" replied Mr.. Thorndyke. "As l
have some letters to write between this and
supper-tme, l will not detan YOU longer"
and he turned toward the escritOirs which
rested upon the table before him.
Then think / will take ~ smoke aud q
short walk" said Frederick producing
cigar-case from his pocket
THAT is right" said Mr. Thorndyke, as he
arranged his paper and prepared to write
The young man bit the end OF his cigar,
and taking n match from the safe on the table,
lit it, and, after = pull or two, slowly moved
toward the door, where he paused for q mo-
ment and looked again at the old gentleman,
whose back Was toward him. His cold gray
eyes glistened strangely, aud the lines about
his mouth deepened. What was It that caus-
ed his features 10 assume 80 dark an express
sion for an Instant Certainly there was
something evil in the thought which occupied
his mind. for his sinister glance was indicative
Of anything but good